High School Sports

It had been 11 years since the last time Pajaro Valley was able to muster together at least five wins in one season.  For most programs it’s not a big deal, but being able to surpass that milestone almost seemed impossible for a school lucky...

WATSONVILLE— The Saint Francis High boys’ soccer team struggled throughout the preseason to barely get just enough players on the pitch to begin a match. It’s been quite the challenge for Sharks’ first-year coach Valentin Barrelleza, who saw roster numbers reduced to as little as...

Aptos High junior Berkeley Ashby struggled to get into rhythm on the court during their Central Coast Section postseason opener against visiting Del Mar High on Tuesday night.   It took longer than she had hoped but she eventually found a groove and it came at...

WATSONVILLE—The St. Francis High football team had undoubtedly the best season in the program’s short illustrious history in 2021.  The Sharks captured the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Santa Lucia Division title—going undefeated in league play—and finished runner-up in the Central Coast Section Division V championship...

WATSONVILLE—A typical day of practice for Pajaro Valley High senior Karla Leyva is highly unlike most of the other soccer players in the area. Instead of meeting up after school with her teammates, the Grizzlies girls’ soccer team is already on the pitch before the...

After pushing through a tough week of class finals, Monte Vista Christian senior Rhazelle Gonzales still had one more test to go before heading into the holiday break.  The Mustangs girls’ basketball team capped off their preseason portion of the schedule in a battle tested...

The Pajaronian’s Prep Athletes of the Week were selected based on their performances during the week of Oct. 6-12. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to submit nominations to sports editor Juan Reyes at [email protected]. Boys Sam Hansen (Jr.), Aptos: The speedy long distance runner had...

Watsonville junior quarterback Edwin Cornejo found his way running into the end zone late in the fourth quarter, and the Wildcatz rallied back from a 10-point deficit to beat Pacific Grove, 24-20, in a non-league thriller Friday night.  “Kudos to Pacific Grove,” Watsonville head coach...

Watsonville High’s Daisy Cornejo was one of several impact players that helped the Wildcatz girls’ volleyball team earn a trip to the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs in 2023.  The junior outside hitter and defensive specialist was all over the court this season. Cornejo...

St. Francis High girls’ volleyball team has returned to the Central Coast Section playoffs for the first time in seven years.  Senior middle blocker Carley Anderson had 10 kills to help lift the Sharks past Rancho San Juan High in four sets 10-25, 25-21, 25-17,...